Why Tennis Scoring Goes 15, 30, 40

A game is won by the first player to win four points with at least a two-point lead. Points are called love (0), 15, 30, 40, and game.

At 40–40, the score is deuce. The next point gives a player the advantage; if they win the following point, they win the game. If not, it returns to deuce.

A set is usually won by the first player to win six games with a two-game lead. At 6–6, most sets are decided by a tiebreak.

In a standard tiebreak, players count points normally (1, 2, 3) and the first to seven with a two-point lead wins the set. Final-set formats vary between tournaments.

Most matches are best of three sets; men’s Grand Slam singles are best of five.